Inside Emser Tile’s New Eastern Distribution Center

We are excited to announce the opening of our Eastern Distribution Center in Suffolk, Virginia. This new facility is Emser Tile’s third distribution center in North America.

To meet our considerable growth in the East Coast and Midwest markets, our new 400,000-square-foot center expands our customer service, supports our growing product portfolio, and allows for additional expansion in the future. The new distribution center joins more than 20 Emser showrooms and service centers throughout the East Coast and Midwest, the majority of which opened in the last five years.

To celebrate the opening, we held a community-focused ribbon-cutting event on Tuesday, August 15, which hosted regional dignitaries including Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade Todd Haymore, Delegate S. Chris Jones, Senator John Cosgrove, and Suffolk Mayor Linda T. Johnson. John F. Reinhart, CEO and Director of the Virginia Port Authority, also attended the opening. After the ribbon cutting, tours of the facility were given.

“Our growth in the East Coast and Midwest markets gave us an opportunity to build a state-of-the-art distribution center to meet our customers’ needs through even better service,” shared Barbara Haaksma, Emser Tile Vice President of Marketing. “Emser Tile remains dedicated to being the design leader and is committed to efficiently servicing our customers nationwide.”

“We are honored that Emser Tile chose the Commonwealth as its gateway to the East Coast market and the world,” added Virginia Governor McAuliffe. “With its close proximity to The Port of Virginia, the City of Suffolk is an ideal base for Emser’s distribution operation, and we are confident the company will benefit from the region’s workforce, infrastructure, and competitive business climate as it expands its product portfolio in the U.S. It’s exciting to see the new, 400,000-square-foot service center become a reality, and we thank Emser Tile for being part of our ongoing efforts to diversify and build the new Virginia economy.”

“Emser Tile’s decision to select Virginia for a major East Coast distribution operation further cements the Commonwealth’s reputation as a key state for this booming industry,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Todd Haymore. “Virginia is within a day’s drive of more than 40 percent of the U.S., and boasts the third-largest state-maintained transportation network—critical factors that make the Commonwealth an exemplary location for distribution. We look forward to a strong corporate partnership with Emser Tile in the City of Suffolk.”

“Emser Tile’s commitment to locate in Suffolk speaks to our business-friendly climate and robust workforce,” Suffolk Mayor Linda T. Johnson said. “Suffolk provides a central gateway for Emser Tile, providing them the logistics infrastructure needed to support their growing customer base. We value their investment and share in their vision for future growth.”

By basing operations in Suffolk, we aim to become a strategic partner within the community. We plan to hire and train distribution center employees through partnerships with local colleges and the community. Suffolk also offers unique highway infrastructure and proximity to The Port of Virginia to facilitate high-volume distribution.

“The Port of Virginia is looking forward to handling cargo for the Emser Tile distribution operation in Suffolk and helping the company establish its presence on the East Coast,” said John F. Reinhart, CEO and Executive Director of the Virginia Port Authority. “We welcome the opportunity to develop a partnership with this company by serving as its global gateway for trade.”